Fluid powered washing machine



Dec. 19, 1950 A.- F. M FARLAND FLUID POWERED WASHING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 11, 1946 mm w a m W f K m? M w Dec. 19, 1950 I MQFARLA'ND 2,534,674

FLUID POWERED WASHING MACHINE Filed Jan. 11, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 29 Aer/5 fA/HfmM/w INVENTOR.

2?, BY 7 W "l 141:

Patented Dec. 19, 1950 FLUID POWERED WASHING MACHINE Artie lF. McFarland, Houston, Tern, assignor to McFarland Manufacturing Corporation, Houston, Tern, a corporation of Texas Application January 11, 1946, Serial No. 640,543

(Cl. 68l22) Claims.

This invention relates to washing machines and refers more particularly to washing machines powered by hydraulic rams and the tripping mechanism for the valve which controls the flow of hydraulic fiuid to the ram.

An object of this invention is to provide a hydraulically powered washing machine of the type having a reciprocating agitator in which operation of the agitator is regulated by manual manipulation of a single control member.

Another object is to provide a washing machine of the type having a reciprocating agitator driven by a hydraulic ram in which the agitator may be reciprocated between selected levels within the washer tub.

A further object is to provide a washing machine of the type having a reciprocating agitator driven by a hydraulic ram in which the ram is used to press the agitator against the fabrics being cleaned to press the cleaning fluid or rinsing fluids therefrom.

Still another object is to provide a nove1 control for the valve which directs the flow of hydraulic fluid to the fluid chamber of a hydraulic ram whereby the direction and limits of reciprocation of the piston within the cylinder may be positively and selectively regulated.

Other and further objects of this invention will appear from the following description:

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the instant specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith, and wherein like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts in the various views,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a washing machine embodying this invention with parts broken away for clarity,

Fig. 2 is a view taken along the line 2-2 in Fig. 1 in the direction of the arrows,

Fig. 3 is a side elevational fragmentary view of a portion of the trip mechanism, on an enlarged scale, shown in Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 is a view taken along the line 4-4 in Fig. 3, in the direction of the arrows,

Fig. 5 is a view taken along the line 55 in Fig. 3 in the direction of the arrows,

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the drain of the washer shown in Fig. 1,

Fig. 7 is an enlarged side elevational view of the hydraulic ram and valve assembly shown in Fig. 1,

Fig. 8 is a view taken along the line 88 in Fig. '7 in the direction of the arrows,

Fig. 9 is a view taken along the line 9-9 in Fig. 8 in the direction of the arrows,

Fig. 10 is a view taken along the line lilll'l in Fig. 8 in the direction of the arrows, and

Fig. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of the plug valve 34.

It is believed that an understanding of the invention will be facilitated by a brief discussion of the major parts or assemblies of the machine. The washing machine may be considered to comprise 3 major portions or parts, namely the washer unit, the hydraulic ram or power unit, and the valve assembly and trip mechanism therefor which controls the flow of hydraulic fluid to the ram. For convenience, the description of the invention will deal with these three major parts separately in the order indicated,

Referring now to the drawings, the washer compartment comprises a rectangular outer tub or receptacle ll. Spaced somewhat from the rear wall of the tub and shown at the left of Fig. 1 is a vertical partition l2 suitably fastened to the side walls of the tub and forming a chamber at the rear of the tub with a drain Ha in its bottom. This chamber facilitates drainage of the washing fluid from the washing machine and also of the discharge of hydraulic fluid from the power unit. It is to be understood that this chamber may be formed by a tube or other separating means in place of partition l2. At the bottom of the partition is a drainage port 12a communicating with the interior of the washing machine through which washing or rinsing fluid may drain when the valve plate I3 is raised. This valve arrangement is detailed in Fig. 6. The valve plate i3 is hinged or pivoted at [4 and is manipulated by a thumb screw and stem l5 threaded to and extending through the rear wall of the washer tub. The inner end of stem i5 is suitably fastened to the valve plate l3 and is adapted to positively hold the plate in its vertical or closed position seating against the partition l2 adjacent port lZa.

Interliner or fabric receptacle N5, of lesser height than the tub, has a perforate bottom portion [6a. The interliner is held in spaced relation to the bottom of the tub by supports l1 and the walls of the tub by spacer rings I611 which may be formed integral with the interliner. The interliner is preferably removable to facilitate cleaning of the machine.

The tub has a cover plate [8 hinged to the rear of the tub at 19 and equipped with a fastener 28 at its front edge.

To agitate the cleaning fluid within the washer during operation, a perforate agitator plate 2| is mounted for vertical reciprocation within the .2 inter-liner 16. This plate is carried on the lower end of a connecting rod 22 extending through cover plate i9 and fastened at its other end to the driving member or piston of the hydraulic ram.

Coming to the power unit, it is seen by reference to Fig. 1 that the ram comprises a cylinder 23 mounted on the cover plate l8. This cylinder is of the usual type and is best shown in Fig. '7. ifhe driving piston is mounted for reciprocation within the cylinder and is fastened to the upper end of connecting rod 22. The piston includes two discs 24 with central apertures. The discs are held in clamping relationship with two washers 25 of suitable material such as leather, rubber, synthetic rubber, fabric or the like. Thus the piston is reciprocated by alternately introducing hydraulic fluid below or above the piston. Th agitator plate obviously reflects this motion and circulates the cleaning fluid in the washer tub. The hydraulic fluid enters and is discharged from the cylinder 23 through ports 26 and El adjacent the top and bottom of the cylinders, respectively, depending on the direction of travel of the piston.

Turning now to the assembly for controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid to the ram, it will be seen that this mechanism comprises a fluid actuated control valve, a mechanically manipulated valve and a trip mechanism. The fluid operated valve controls the flow of power fluid to the hydraulic ram. The mechanically manipulated valve controls the flow of actuating fluid to the fluid operated valve. The trip mechanism serves to mechanically trip the latter valve and is responsive to the position of the rams driving member or the agitator plate 2i.

The fluid operated valve and the mechanical valve are both housed in a casing 28 having adjacentc'nambers or cylinders 28:; and 25b. Hydraulic fluid enters both chambers through an inlet port 289, best shown in Fig. 10 which communicates with a source of hydraulic fluid supply through conduit-2 9 Chamber 28a has an upper port 3i? communicating through a connection 33 with port 26 in the top of the ram cylinder and a lower port 3 2 communicating through pipe 33 with port 2'! adjacent the bottom of the ram cylinder. These connections serve to alternately supply power fluid to opposite ends oi the ram piston as Well as to discharge expended power fluid flOln tihe ram cylinder.

A valve plug 34 within the chamber 23a is adapted in operation to permit flow of hydraulic power fluid through one of these ports, at. any given time. A recess or groove 343a in the periphery of the pl s is adapted to connect the other of said ports 39 and 32- with a discharge port 315 and discharge line 36. Thus, with plug 3 6 in a raisedpositlion as shown in Fig. 8 power fluid enters chamber 28a through port 250 and flows past the, tapered edge of plug 3i adjacent port 28 ciinto the lower portion or" the cylinder, thence through port 3? line 3,, and into the lower por-. tion of the ram to force the driving member of the ram to its. raised position. During this time, fluid in the upper portion of cylinder of the ram is forced through connections 2e, 35, port 30, groove 3 2a, discharge port 35 and discharge line 35, into the chamber formed by partition if: in the rear of the washer tub I I and through drain I 3 therefrom. When plug valvefi i is shifted to, its lower position flow of hydraulic'driving fluid is reversed to force the driving member of h m q e we ed R siden- To hold plug 34 in alignment in cylinder 28a; a nut or plug 37 in casing 28 fits an axial groove B ll) in the valve plug.

This plug valve 34 is fluid actuated by means of a connecting rod 38 fastened to a p.ston 32, operative in a cylinder 59 mounted above cylinder 22a. A stufifing box ll surrounds rod 33 and provides a seal between cylinder ll) and chamber 28a. This piston and rod is hydraulically driven to operate plug valve 34. The upper portion of cylinder G9 is connected by conduit 62 with the lower portion of cylinder 28b. Conduit 43 communicates between the lower portion of cylinder 53 and the upper portion of cylinder 28b. [inother valve element 56 having the same shape as valve plug 34 is reciprocally mounted within cylinder 28b. This valve element controls the flow of hydraulic fluid to and from cylinder ll] to actuate the power fluid control valve. This is accomplished in a manner similar to that just described in connection with supplying the hydraulic driving fluid to the ram. In other words, the recess 50a in element 56 of the mechanically manipulated valve alternately connects one 01' 1 the conduits 4.2 or G3 to the discharge line 35 in which case the other conduit communicates with the source of hydraulic fluid by reason of the tapered side of the plug to supply hydraulic fluid to drive piston 39. Alignment of element 56 within chamber 28?) is eflected by bolt 3.? operating in the axial groove 56?) in the periphery of element 59.

Mechanically manipulated valve element 58 is fastened to the lower end of link 44 which extends through the top of cylinder 28b. Obviously raising or lowering of this link will move the mechanically manipulated valve resulting in a shitting or tripping of the fluid actuated control valve which regulates the flow of power fluid to the ram. This manipulation is accomplished by a trip mechanism comprismg an elongated slotted member G5 fastened at its lower end to connecting rod 22 adjacent plate 2| and extending above the cover plate I8 of the Washer tub.

A novel means is provided to engage anddisengage link i i and slotted member 35 This means includes a slide member 45 slidably mounted on member 45. This slide loosely ieeives one end ot-lever arm 4-? pivoted-onbracket 48. Manual manipulation of lever i-l. causes'slide 45 tobe raised or-lowered. This is eifectedwhen.

theend of arm 4-! abuts either-the upper or-lower edge of the slide, dependent upon the direction of movement of arm 37 about its pivot, Link- 45, I has a dependi g section l la which isturnedoutwardly at its lower extremity as at 44b. This;

outwardly turned portion forms a pin which penetrates an axial slot in bacl; or slide 45, and

which ma selectively engag any or the slots of member 45. A cross pin 49. carried by pin 45b engages the back; portion of slide 46. By reference to Fig. 3, this backer left hand portion of the slide is seen to have a corrugated shape so that pin 4% may penetrate. within a selected slot of member 45 when the cross-pin t!) resides in the valley of the corrugated surface. On the other hand, when the slide. 46 is shifted so that cross pin 49, engages either rest in the corrugated back of the slide, pin 44b is disengaged from. the slots ofv member Mb extending the amount that the slide may be raised or lowered by the lever. 41.

With pin 44b. engaged: in. a selected slot of member 45 the link 4.45 is. shifted on engagement 45. It is seen that pin through the slot of slide 46 limits from the ram. By engaging pin 44b in any,

selected slot of member 45 reciprocation of the ram driving member and consequent reciprocation of the agitator within the washer is confined to predetermined limits. When pin 4% is disengaged from any of the slots of member 45, the driving member of the ram will continue in one direction until it reaches the extremity of cylinder 23 toward which it is travelling. The driving member then ceases to move until the valve assembly is tripped. Manipulation of lever 41 to shift slide @5 effects a tripping of the mechanically manipulated valve as pin 44b is engaged by the extremity of the slot of said slide.

In operation the driving member of the ram is placed in a raised position. In this position the cover plate I8 may be tilted backwardly to give access to the washer tub when fastener is released. The desired amount of water or other cleaning fluid is run into the washer tub and the materials to be cleaned are placed within the interliner. Cover plate I8 is then closed and. fastener 20 is put in place. Lever 41 is then manipulated to raise slide 46, thus tripping valve element 50 of the mechanically operated valve to a raised position. This permits the flow of hydraulic fluid into the upper portion of cylinder 45 driving piston to its lowered position thus shifting the valve plug 33 of the fluid. control valve to its lower position in cylinder 28a. Piston 39 has but a small distance to travel and this distance is traversed in a fraction of a second, resulting in substantially snap action of the valve. This directs the driving fluid to the top of the ram driving member, forcing it downwardly and the fluid in the lower portion of cylinder 23 is discharged through connection 27, pipe 33, port 32, discharge port 85, and discharge line 36 into the discharge chamber in the rear portion of the washer tub and thence to a suitable disposal through drain Ha. This results in a downward movement of the ram driving member, agitator 2| and slotted member 45. As the slotted member moves downwardly slide 46 is held in a position to disengage pin 44b from the slots of the member until the slot corresponding to the level to which it is desired to operate the agitator is reached. Then the pin 44b is allowed to engage that slot.

With pin 44?) engaging a selected slot the valve assembly is automatically tripped each time either extremity of the slot engages the pin 44b whereby the agitator is reciprocated between the desired level within the interliner of the washer tub. It will be seen that member 45 continues to move in a given direction until the fluid actuated valve is tripped so this action is positive, the power fluid supplyin sufficient power to cause movement of pin 44b and link 44 to trip the mechanically actuated valve. This action is continued until the materials are believed to be clean. During the cleaning operation the agitator thoroughly circulates the cleaning fluid, causing it to pass through the materials or fabricsto be cleaned. The position of the interliner is such that the fluid is caused to surge through its perforate bottom and the space between the interliner and washer tub H overflowing the upper edge of the interliner and Washing over into the interior of the interliner.-

When this has been continued for a sufficient time, to cleanse the materials or fabrics, drain plate valve I3 is raised by manipulation of the thumb screw and stem l5 permitting cleaning. fluid to drain from the washer. When the tub is drained, pin 44b is disengaged from slotted member 45 when the member is travelling in a downward direction. The agitator plate then continues in its downward direction until the materials to be cleaned are engaged by the perforate bottom liia of the interliner and the perforate agitator 21. This places the materials in a squeezing relationship to agitator 2| and the perforate interliner bottom forcing substantially all of the cleaning fluid therefrom. Plate,

i3 is then closed and rinsing fluid is introduced into the tub. The agitator is reciprocated for a short time and the drainage and squeezing op-, eration is repeated. This rinsing operation may be repeated as often as desired and when completed, the agitator is caused to assume its upward position, cover 18 is opened and the clothes removed in a substantially dry condition.

It will be seen that the objects of this invention have been accomplished. There has been provided a washing machine driven by a hydraulic ram which may be operated by simple manipulation of a control member. The ram is such that the agitator plate may bereciprocated between selected levels of the washer tub. The construction is such that a mechanically actuated valve controls the flow of hydraulic fluid to actuate the main control valve which in turn regulates the flow of hydraulic fluid to the ram. The action of the ram is positive as the valve is completely tripped by a positive force so that during operation no dead center is encountered. The agitator and interliner arrange-' From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all of the ends and objects hereinabove set forth, together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the construction.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawing is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having described the claimed is:

1. A trip mechanism for and in combination with a fluid actuated valve adapted for use in invention what is regulating the flow of power fluid to a hydraulic 2. In a Washing machineof the type having a tub with a reciprocating agitator therein,- a fluid driven ram suitably connected to the agitator and a valve for directing the flow of fluid to the ram the improvement which resides in the combination therewith of a trip mechanism for said valve, anda releasable connection between the trip mechanism and said agitator, said con nection including a plurality of sets of stops" carried by one, and a part carried by the other adapted to'be moved into and outof position b'-' tween the stops of any set, to provide-for limited relative reciprocallmovement between the' trip mechanism and agitator whereby the trip mechanism' may be actuated by a selected set-of said stops to control the level of reciprocation-of =the agitator within the tub.

3'. In a fluid power mechanism a cylinder with a piston mounted for reciprocation therein, a

fluid actuated valve operable uponactuation to supply power fluidto the: cylinder first on one side of the piston andthen on the other side of the piston, a mechanically operated valve controlling the flow of-actuatihg fluid to the first valve; a connecting means between the piston and second valve including a link ecured to oneand' an elongated member secured to the other, a plurality ofspaced apart stops-distributed along the elongated member, the link having apart adapted: to reside between two of said stops providing. for limited: relative movement between the link and member and: means for selectively retracting said part from and advancing said part into position between two of said stops whereby withthe'link part residing between two stops'movement of the piston shifts the second valve upon each engagement of the link part with onecf the stops-to-actuate the first'valve' and: thereby reverse the direction of travel of the piston;

fluid actuated valve operable upon actuation to supply power-"fluid to'the cylinder firsto'n' one" side of: the piston and then on the other side 8. of the' pistong a mechanically operated v'alve' con trolling the flow of actuating fluid to the first valve, a-co'nnec'ting means between the piston and second valve'including' alink secured to one and a connecting member secured to' the other, spaced apart stops on the member, a part on the linkadapted to reside between the stops providingfor' limited relative movement between the link and member and means for s'electlvelyre tracti'n'g saidpartfrom and advancing sa'id part into-position between the stops whereby with-the link part residing between the stops movement of the piston shifts the second valve upon each engagement of the link part with one of the stops to actuate the first valve and thereby reverse the direction of travel of the piston and retraction ofthe link part from" between the stops permits the piston to move to and stop in one end of the cylinder.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein the means for operatingthe link part is cohnected to the second valve and is operable to trip the same',- when the piston is stopped, to Start the power mechanism.

ARTIE F. MCFARLAND.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file-0f this patent:

UNITED STATES 'PA'IENTS Number Name Date 268232 Hilpert Nov. 28,1882 8136,8 15 Newman May 5,1908' 1,282,841 IleS Oct;2'9,- 1918' 1,580,094 White Apr. 6,-1926 1,633,557 Morgan 'June 21, 1927 1,660,977 Smith Feb. 28,1928 1,796,312 Anderson Mar. 17, 1931 2,029,240 Kuhn Jan. 28, 1936 2,144,437 Wold Jan; 17', 1939 FORETGN' PATENT S Nani-her Country Date 80,612 Sweden June 12,1934 

